The Vice President, Communications provides leadership, planning, and execution for all of United Way Worldwide’s strategic communications, content marketing to both the general public and the United Way system, public relations, as well as social, digital, and traditional media strategies.
Working with the Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, the Vice President, Communications will be responsible for conceiving, developing, implementing, and integrating a broad range of communications, public relations, social/digital, and content marketing activities in support of United Way Worldwide’s mission. He or she will ensure that these activities are effective in promoting United Way Worldwide’s mission, vision, values, and priorities. The Vice President, Communications will work to help devise appropriate thought leadership platforms for members of the Executive Management Team and develop and/or oversee the creation of all external and internal/network communications products and materials online, print, and broadcast products and tactics.
- Responsible for the overall development, management, and direction of United Way Worldwide’s communications (network, key audience, public relations, social/digital, and content marketing) strategies. Develop, socialize, and ensure uniform delivery of appropriate messaging to all relevant stakeholders and audiences, providing quality control for all communications materials, as well as oversee communications strategy support for key organizational programs and initiatives. Proactively lead United Way Worldwide storytelling, message development, and narration.
- The Vice President, Communications serves as a member of the Marketing Leadership Team.
- Preferred minimum of 15 years of relevant communications experience.
- At least five years of management experience and evidence of ability to coach staff, manage, and develop high-performance teams with cross-functional interdependencies. Track record of effectively leading a performance- and outcomes-based staff. Experience leading a team through change is a plus.
- Proven experience in the design and execution of marketing, communications, and public relations activities. Outstanding communication, public speaking, and advocacy skills. Experience and ability to act as the company spokesperson, as needed.
- Demonstrated success in crafting a substantive and cohesive set of messages for an organization, which has been successfully communicated to key audiences and resulted in a measurable difference (e.g., elevated profile, broader visibility, increased funding, or donor support) to the organization.
- Knowledge and experience with digital marketing, social media, and content marketing. Broad understanding of, and willingness to stay abreast of, digital and traditional technologies, applications, and processes.
- Ability to communicate complex information effectively in writing to all levels of staff, management, and external audiences. Adept at forming and maintaining external partnerships and networks.
- Excellent writing and editing abilities with extensive experience in all forms of corporate and executive communication, from corporate news releases to executive talking points.
- Ability to quickly distill complex concepts into interesting and digestible pieces. Ability to actively and thoughtfully listen to and incorporate ideas to influence strategy and shape content. Creative and skilled at identifying and seizing opportunities for an organization to reach key audiences.
- A proven ability to develop compelling, insight-based strategic proposals and present them effectively and persuasively.
- Experience pitching issues, business, and corporate stories to top-tier and trade media outlets.
- Entrepreneurial spirit who thrives in a fast-paced, high performing, world-class organization.
- Proven ability to manage large projects.
- A detail-oriented approach and the ability to meet deadlines without sacrificing quality.
- Must be able to thrive in an environment where ambiguity and change are the only constants.
- Ability to negotiate via networking and build strong relationships in the interest of progressing the work is a must.
- Experience with a distributed network or franchise system helpful and preferred.
United Way Worldwide is located in Old Town Alexandria, VA. We offer competitive salary and excellent benefits including: health, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability, employee assistance program, 403(b) plan, tuition assistance, paid time off, family sick leave, medical appointment leave, free parking, onsite gym, monthly volunteering opportunities, and more.